June 08, 2013

BEA2013! Maria's Recap on the Awesomeness!

I'm writing this post exactly one week after the Book Expo of America (BEA) took NYC by storm and left most of us bloggers utterly EXHAUSTED! But what a whirlwind of excitement, fun and book-loving-awesomeness. Check out my Recap:

BEA, for me, started Thursday morning -- with a Blogger Breakfast graciously hosted by Harlequin Teen (@HarlequinTeen), featuring authors: Julie Kagawa (Iron Fey Series, Blood of Eden Series), Elizabeth Scott (Heartbeat), Amanda Sun (Ink) and Katie McGarry (Pushing the Limits Series).


Now, I've been going to be BEA for three years now, and I have to say that this was by far the best Blogger event I've been to. And it's not that it was fancy, or that we got a bunch of swag -- but it was because of the intimacy of this event. We were all sitting at tables of about 8 people, and the authors actually came and sat at every single table. What a great way to get closer to your favorite authors, ask them any burning questions, and see how great they are in person. HarlequinTEEN -- PLEASE do this again next year!! 


After the breakfast, the real work began. I made it a point to be picky this year, and to try my hardest to talk more and pick up books less, LOL. And it worked! I ended up meeting some of the most fascinating people who were from all aspects of the book world. Some of the awesome people I met: 

* A mother-daughter team who found each other after 40 years of being separated (I have their book and when I finish, will be sure to share with you all!)
* A woman who was an author and an editor who had created this fictional small town in her books - with each book focusing on different people who live in the town. I told her that she needs to make a virtual website to go with it - how fun would that be? 
* While on a line for two - yes, two! - hours, I met a man who goes to book conferences all the time -- but with a focus on mystery novels. I learned about so many cool authors from him. 

And those were just a handful of the folks I talked to. Such a good time! 

AND THEN....
THURSDAY EVENING....


Hosted by Simon & Schuster!!

I cannot even tell you how excited I was to attend this party! I brought my hubby (aka GCR Guest Reviewer Jason) who has recently finished the series and is now a huge Cassandra Clare fan! (Stay tuned -- in a few weeks, you'll be able to see his review of these incredible books). 

Can you even believe such a beautiful (and absolutely perfect) setting could exist in NYC?!

The view from inside -- so GORGEOUS!

Crazy Blogger, Jason

Me, with my Shadow Hunter Rune -- it stands for Fearless!


Actual Props from the film were spread out about the room!

AHHHH!!! Cassandra Clare!!



We were also lucky enough to get a SNEAK PREVIEW of City of Bones! Needless to say, I will definitely be watching that movie!

A quick THANK YOU to S&S for the invitation to such a wonderful event -- took me forever to get back home afterward (2 1/2 hours, thanks to traffic) but it was well worth it! 

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The Friday of BEA aka Celebrity Spotting!!

Octavia Spencer signing her new middle-school book, Randi Rhodes, Ninja Detective: The Case of the Time-Capsule Bandit.

Paula Deen!!

Jessica Lange!!! 

Yea, that's the Olivia! Be Jealous, LOL 

This is me with Spencer Hill Editor, Rich Storrs (@RichStorrsSHP). He edited the anthology my story is in: Holiday Magick: 20 Holiday Stories with a Twist


I waited TWO hours in line to meet Mo Willems -- WELL WORTH IT! My son is obsessed with the Pigeon books -- especially Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus. It was the Pigeon's 10th Birthday -- so there was an awesome celebration :)

My Pigeon Tattoo

Pigeon Cupcakes - YUMMY

Signing a Pigeon Book and a Elephant & Pig Book


My son -- with his foam Pigeon :)


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 My Final Haul -- 100+ Books -- and yes, that was me being picky. But don't you worry -- they will be given away pretty soon; I don't have any room on my shelves!!




5 comments:

  1. Lol! I thought picky would be 10 books! Great post, I loved reading about your BEA experience. That setting looks gorgeous!So looking forward to the TMI movie.

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  2. I was at the Harlequin breakfast, too, and I have to agree that it was a most awesome event. I think that was my absolute favorite part of BEA, to be honest. I felt honored to have been invited and to be able to really sit with the authors, editors and publicists to get the inside scoop. I'm jealous of you going to the CoB party. Looks like it was so much fun! And I can't believe 100+ is you being picky! I got 90 and that was me being REALLY picky. I skipped lines and everything so I could chat more with people and authors and such!

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  3. oh wow looked like a fantastic experience!!

    - Juhina @ Maji Bookshelf

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  4. Wow, wow wow. I so wish I could of went. It looks like you has so much fun. Was able to met some awesome authors and get tons of books. I'm so jealous. Thank you for sharing your experience.

    Can't wait for the giveaways. I have my fingers crossed.

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  5. Maria- I was SO excited to see Mo Willems there. I am so jealous you got to meet him- my boys LOVE his books!

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